Sunday, 4 January 2015

New chapters



Happy New Year!

I bid a very sad farewell to 2014, it's been a good year, it has been a mixture of the good and sad, thankfully the good outweighing the sad, lots of very exciting things have happened, the biggest ones being my crochet book, which will be published in May as well as giving a sweet little kitty a home. 



But as one chapter closes new one starts, and I'm waiting with pure excitement to see what 2015 will bring. I never make New Year resolutions as they are pointless to me, but I do make plans, more of what I would like to achieve in 2015, less of meaningless promises that don't last past the middle of January.
My plan is a bit like a shopping list, I can tick off things when done. I don't know why, but there's something very satisfying about a tick next to a completed task, makes you feel like you've achieved something and then you can have a cake to reward yourself, ah any excuse to have a cake.
Oh my, I do sound rather boring! But in my defense, I never used to make plans, I only started last year and I have to say it has been an immense help in keeping me focused, I have an attention span of a gerbil so my list in the diary is vital.

Another new chapter that is starting is my kitty Brick's new life.
Brick is just awesome! The most mischievous little monkey on the planet, but also the cuddliest one, he's so sweet you will forgive him everything, looking at his cute little face I just melt.



Brick is only 8 months old but had a very tough time in his very young life.
He's been rescued by an incredible lady who saw him being kicked then swung by his tail by a group of teenagers. She bravely intervened, but being in a tough personal position she was unable to keep him, so she took him to her local branch of MediVets where he got the most fantastic care and attention from all the amazing nurses. He was in the vets for around a week and a half without anyone coming forward to claim him, when my partner met him. Dave was installing new IT hardware there and little Brick kept coming over to say hello when a nurse said that he was being taken to the local cat rescue center, Dave didn't think twice and brought him home.

Our biggest worry was how Ollie would react to having to share his space. Ollie has been the king of the castle for a good few years and he is rather spoiled. Over the next few days we kept them apart, swapping them backwards and forwards into different rooms so they will get used to each-others smells. Eventually we introduced them and slowly a friendship was born. Ollie is a rather a lazy cat who likes nothing better than sleeping in a patch of sun while Brick is just a bundle of energy that climbs every shelf, cupboard, wardrobe in the house as well as finding Ollie fascinating. He follows him absolutely everywhere, which at first really annoyed Ollie, but now they do everything together, even groom each-other. 



I want to say the biggest thank you to the amazing lady who rescued little Brick and to all those fantastic nurses at MediVet. I'm forever grateful to you all.

And in case you wonder why the name Brick, it’s the name of the youngest child from the series ‘The Middle’which we just thought was a very cool name.


Anna x

Sunday, 14 December 2014

Little Robin



Well winter is finally here! It hit me with a sharp freezing wind, I mean I knew
it's coming, but with November being so mild I actually thought we might get away
with it. Still, there are lots of things to love about winter: wearing woollen
jumpers , scarfs, gloves, it's far too cold to go out and socialise so you stay at home
and actually have the time to finish all your projects, it helps that  TV  is relatively good.
And of course Christmas! 

I really do love Christmas, actually I love the run up to Christmas more, the fantastic atmosphere when it gets dark so early, but all the decorations are up everywhere and everything sparkles, the fantastic markets and even the carols being played on continuous loop, but the thing I love the most about Christmas is MULLED WINE!!
Everyone says that Christmas is far too commercial, of course it is, but it is us who made it that way. On the other hand, how often do you really treat yourself? How often have you promised yourself the earrings, handbag or bracelet, but there were always far more important things to spend money on, is treating yourself or loved ones once a year such a bad thing? Some retailers start Christmas advertising in August, but for some this is make or break period, it will decide whether they can survive and continue to trade next year or not, so not surprisingly they start as early as they possibly can.

Anyway, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without beautiful, sparkling Christmas tree! My one is not up yet, but I have been busy making decorations for it. One of the decorations is the crocheted little Robin. He’s a cute little fella with slightly wonky wings, I first designed him for my Little Festive Workshops and I’m pleased to report he has been a massive success.



If you would like to make one yourself the pattern is as follows:

Abbreviation
Ch – chain
Dc (US sc)– double crochet (US – single crochet)
Dc2tog (US sc2tog)– double crochet two together - insert hook into stitch and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next stitch and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook. (US – single crochet two together)
Ss – slip stitch

Materials
Rowan Cotton Glace or any 4ply mercerised cotton
A – Brown, Earth sh.863
B – Red, Poppy sh.741 - oddments
C – Yellow, Mineral sh.856 - oddments
3mm (UK 11) crochet hook
Toy stuffing
2 x small black beads for eyes

Finished size 
Completed robin measures approximately 15cm in circumference and 8cm in height, but it really doesn't matter if he's a bit bigger or smaller.

Body
With yarn A and 3mm hook make 6 dc into magic ring.
Round 2: ch1, 2dc into every dc. (12)
Round 3: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc. (18)
Round 4: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc. (24)
Round 5: ch1, 1 dc in each dc to end. (24)
Round 6: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc. (30)
Round 7 to 11: ch1, 1 dc into each dc to end,  ss to first dc (30)
Round 12: ch1, *2dctog, 1 dc into next 3 dc. Rep from* to end, ss to first dc (24)
Begin stuffing
Round 21: ch1, *2dctog, 1 dc into next 2 dc, rep from* to end, ss to first dc (18)
Round 22: ch1, *2dctog, dc into next dc, rep from * to end, ss to first dc (12)
Round 23: *2dctog, to end, ss to first dc (6)
Close opening by weaving in yarn and pulling tight.
Fasten off.

Red Breast
With yarn B and 3mm hook make 6 dc into magic ring.
Round 2: ch1, 2dc into each dc to end, ss to first dc (12)
Round 3: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next dc. Repeat from *to end, ss to first dc (18)
Round 4: ch1, *2dc into next dc, 1 dc into next 2 dc. Repeat from * to end, ss to first dc (24)
Fasten off
Attach to centre of Robin.

Wings (make two)
With yarn A make 6 ch.
Row 1: 1 dc into second ch from hook , I dc into every dc to end. Turn.
Row 2: ch1, dc2tog , 1 dc into every dc to end. Turn.
Row 3: ch1, 1 dc into next 2 dc, dc2tog. Turn.
Row 4: ch1, dc2tog, dc into last dc. Turn.
Row 5: ch1, dc2tog.
Fasten off

Beak
With yarn B work 3 dc into the centre of 2nd row above red breast.
Row 1: ch1, dc2tog, 1 dc into next dc. Turn.
Row 2: ch1, dc2tog.
Fasten off.
Fold the tip of the beak and secure it to the body.

Happy Robin making



Merry Christmas!!

Anna x

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Let's make a pompom

About a week ago I have released the pattern for 'Cosy' hat, it's the first pattern from
3-pattern Cosy knits collection, chunky knits to keep you extra warm.

Modelled by my boyfriend Dave

The hat is quite brilliant! (If I may say so myself) it is unisex, men and women
can enjoy the warmth of 'Cosy'. It is a super quick knit; the hat can be knitted in an evening. It can be worn as a beanie (just fold the moss stitch border) or slouchy and it only takes one ball Rowan Big Wool, 80 meters/ 87 yards to be precise and you can decorate it with a pompom made out of any yarn.



Let’s talk more about the joys of making a pompom, as I’m sure we all love a good pompom?

 Whoever said that making a pompom is a chore! Let me show you the quick and easy
way of making one. No need for expensive gadgets or cutting out circles out of
cardboard (anyone remembers that from school?). All you need is your hand, yarn
and scissors. 


Start by wrapping your yarn around your palm as many times as you wish. The more
yarn the thicker the pompom. 

When you are happy with your thickness, remove carefully and place it on a 20cm length of yarn.


 Tie the piece of yarn tightly around the middle of your wrap yarn.


Cut the loops of wrapped yarn  


Trim the pompom so all strands are even.

And voila! Pompom made

Attach it to your hat and you are ready for whatever winter can throw at you.



Pattern for Cosy hat is available at:

Enjoy 

Anna x